Silver and Black Report

Bitter rivals renew their rivalry under the lights of Monday Night Football to kickoff the season. The Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos will compete for the 96^th time since both first met in 1960. The Silver & Black holds a 54-39-2 regular season advantage, and they are 2-0 during home openers versus the Broncos.

Last season, both clubs split their meetings, both winning at home. JaMarcus Russell saw his first action as a pro during their second meeting at the ‘Black Hole’, a game in which the Raiders earned the second of back-to-back divisional victories for the first time since 2002.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

It’s time to unveil Darren McFadden if you’re the Silver & Black. Yes, it’s the first time Russell will start a opener as the team’s first string quarterback, but the Arkansas rookie will have the spotlight due to his game breaking ability, versatility and what many will hope is a positive influence on an offense that is in need of pop.

Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin has talked about bringing him along slowly and letting him absorb the playbook and nuisances of the game before utilizing him as they envisioned. But considering that this offense has shown little in the pre-season and will want to get out of the gate quickly in front of their fans, Mcfadden should be unleashed and given opportunities to do what he does best…

Give him the football as a rusher and receiver and let him go.

“By the time we get halfway through the year, I think he will have had a big impact on this team,” Kiffin said on Wednesday. “You’ve just got to be nervous how much you do with him. You won’t see him doing as much stuff as you’d like I’m sure in this opener. Especially because you’ve got a Monday night game as well. He’s got to worry just about getting a handoff. We’ll be very careful with him this week.”

What to expect:

Oakland will run the football. Heck, they need to run the football. Justin Fargas has earned every right to start and take the bulk of the load, but a sprinkle of McFadden and the insertion of Michael Bush on short yardage situations and in spots where they want to punish Denver will be on Kiffin’s ‘to do’ list for Monday.

If they are successful on the ground, then you can expect some longer developing passing plays for Javon Walker, Ronald Curry and the newly acquired Ashley Lelie.

“When you kind of stop making plays, then the league keeps going and forgets about you,” Lelie commented after being cut by the 49ers. “So this will be a prime example Monday night, to kind of showcase what I can do, and what I can do to help the team.”

On Defense:

This will be the first test for the run defense. One of the major concerns of Rob Ryan’s unit is their ability to consistently stuff opponents along the line of scrimmage and force teams to match-up against a very talented secondary.

Arch nemesis Mike Shanahan has had great success running the football against the Raiders, and he won’t stop until they show an ability to slow them down. “We’re not going to get away from running the ball,” Shanahan said. “You may write about it more when we’re throwing the ball well, but we’re still going to run the football and we’re running it well. The great teams that usually win championships can run it.”

Terdell Sands, Gerard Warren and Tommy Kelly will be in the trenches this year, and if this three-man rotation can get out of the gates quickly with a solid effort, it could lead to a major improvement on defense.

Sands’ size and strength is a major asset, but he will be the reserve and unless he shows competence as a defender in their basic packages on all downs, he will likely remain as the back-up, as Kiffin brutally stated, “he’ll never be an every down player in the NFL.”

What to expect:

Derrick Burgess will have a match-up he must win if the Raiders want to put Jay Cutler in tough spots. Facing the rookie Ryan Clady, Burgess should open the season the way he ended 2007, attacking quarterbacks with his speed and re- gaining his form as one of the best pure pass rushers in the AFC.

On Special Teams:

Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler will be ready to go after a pre-season in which they saw limited action, and botched plays in their final tune-up a week ago.

What has been a major concern has been the return game, and whether or not they have talent to give them steady play on kickoffs and punts. Johnnie Lee Higgins will be fielding punts, and his up and down pre-season is what worries the Raiders. What Kiffin made clear this week was that McFadden will not be returning kicks. When asked, he simply stated, “No, no.”

DENVER BRONCOS

On Offense:

Jay Cutler’s development is under the microscope, and if he is able to settle down the volatile quarterback position in Denver since John Elway’s retirement, this team will have a solid chance to get back to the playoffs.

After being diagnosed with Diabetes, monitoring of his condition and now his ability to cope and play with it, Cutler feels he will move forward and lead this team as Denver expected when they drafted him.

“Oh, yeah, when you’re the quarterback, being in that position my whole life, you’re kind of in that leadership role whether you want to or not,” Cutler commented. “So, if that’s what you want to do, you just grasp it and run with it.”

Denver’s top target, receiver Brandon Marshall, will be out for the opener after being assessed a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct code.

“He’s the best player on offense when I look on film,” Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. “To be honest, I’m glad he’s not playing because he gives you a lot of problems. Even as good as our corners are, he’s a great football player.

“Yeah, we’re pleased he’s not playing.”

What to expect:

Denver will try to run the ball against the vaunted Raider front-seven with the trio of starter Selvin Young, veteran Michael Pittman and second year stand out Andre Hall.

Young ran for 729 yards as an undrafted rookie last season, and with their historically successful zone blocking scheme and ability to find rushers for their offense, it will be interesting to see how they fare against a Raider defense that added a solid tackler this off-season at strong safety (Gibril Wilson) and that will emphasize stacking the line of scrimmage in 2008.

On Defense:

Denver struggled to stop the run last season, ranking 30th in the league. If they can’t slow down Oakland’s onslaught on the ground, it will make life easier for Russell and keep the ball away from Cutler and his offense.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Javon Walker vs. His old teammates

Walker has had a shaky start in Oakland and after signing a big contract during the off-season, it is imperative he start the season with some chain moving receptions. Russell needs a ‘go to’ target, and if he is it, it could make a world of a difference on how this offense progresses as the year winds down.

Burgess vs. Clady

Rookie against speedy rusher…this could spell trouble for Cutler.

Raiders Rush Defense vs. Shanahan’s ground game

In their last 10 meetings, the Raiders have allowed over 100 yards rushing to the Broncos on 8 occasions.

Forcing Cutler to make plays with his arm/Forcing Russell to do the same…

If the Raiders commit to stuffing the run, and do it with success, Cutler will have to find a way to roll away from the pressure Oakland will try to apply in order to force turnovers in their secondary. Denver will attack the Raiders offensive line to see if a) they can protect the young passer and b) can Russell be poised under pressure?

GAME NOTES:

• Since 2003, the Raiders have allowed 150.9 yards rushing per game against the Broncos.
• Kalimba Edwards (groin) and Walker (hamstring) were held out of drills this week, but are expected to play.
• The Broncos have been lead in rushing the last five years by five different ball carriers.
• McFadden in the pre-season compiled 182 yards on 34 carries.
• Center Tom Nalen is out for Monday.

PREDICTION:

Raiders 27 – Broncos 19

Oakland will run the ball effectively. And when Denver creeps their safeties up for help, Russell should be able to find his favorite target, Zach Miller, for a score and possible big plays down the field with his newly acquired targets. The Raiders offensive line will have to hold up early pressure from Denver, and if Oakland has to face 3rd and longs, it could be a very tough night for Russell. Oakland is too deep at running back and they will keep the fresh legs rotating in and out and exposing the weak front seven of the Broncos.

TV & Radio

This week’s game will be televised nationally on ESPN, with Mike Greenberg handling play-by-play, former NFL player and coach Mike Ditka and former NFL player Mike Golic as color analysts. Suzy Kolber will handle sideline reporting duties. If sold out per NFL blackout rules, the game will also be broadcast in the Bay Area on over-the air station KPIX Channel 5. The game will air on ESPN International in 180 countries and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.

The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 11th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KGO’s Rich Walcoff. In addition, Westwood One/CBS Radio will air the game nationally with Don Criqui and former NFL coach Dennis Green handling announcing duties. (Broadcast information found on the official Raiders web site) 

GAME INFO

Home Team: Oakland Raiders (0-0) Home: 0-0 Road: 0-0

Road Team: Denver Broncos (0-0) Home: 0-0 Road: 0-0

When and Where: Monday, September 8, 2008, 7:15 p.m. PT  McAfee Coliseum – Oakland, CA